When To Go
Deciding when to go depends on both your temperament and France's. Climates and the popularity of a region depend heavily on the time of year, and vary dramatically from one region to the next.
The North of France is at its busiest in late spring and early summer. The weather is best, but the attractions are packed and the prices are highest. Also, you might want to avoid the North in August, when most of the natives are on vacation in the South. If swarms of tourists aren't your thing, fall is a wonderful time to visit the north. While you are sure to have a few overcast, windy, rainy days to contend with, things are still very happening this time of year. Winter can be blustery, but there are keen benefits then as well, such as ice skating in Paris or Christmas Markets in Alsace. See Christmas In France or France In The Off-Season.
The South of France has a lure almost any time of year. It is jammed in August. In May, the Cannes Film Festival packs that city and those nearby. Even in fall, sometimes you can dip your toes in the Mediterranean. Don't be fooled, though. Provencal winters can be unexpectedly chilly. Find out more with the France Travel Monthly Calendar.
What Time/Day Is It?
France is one hour above Greenwich Mean Time, or five hours ahead of New York City. The country does honor daylight savings time, so during that time it is one more hour ahead, or six hours later than in New York. The French also celebrate several holidays, and visiting during this time can result in some good things (festivals abound and many museums and estaurants remain open) and bad things (most businesses and shops are closed). These are the holidays for 2006:
- April 16/17 - Easter Sunday/Monday - Pâques
- May 1 - Labor Day (Sunday) - Fête du Travail
- May 25 - Ascension (Thursday, 40 days after Easter)
- May 8 - Victory Day 1945 (Sunday) - Fête de la Victoire 1945 (marks the end of WWII)
- June 4/June 5 - Whit Sunday/Pentecôte
- July 14 - Bastille Day (Thursday) - Fête Nationale
- August 15 - Assumption Day (Monday) - Assomption
- November 1 - All Saints Day (Tuesday) - La Toussaint
- November 11 - Armistice Day (End of WWI) (Friday) - Le 11 Novembre
- December 25 - Christmas Day (Sunday) - Noël
How To Communicate
If at all possible, it is very helpful to at least learn a few basic phrases, especially ones you will use often (such as transportation and menu terms, etc.). Although the French are taught English in grade school, some do not know much English (what do YOU recall from high school Spanish, after all?). They also are more likely to reveal their ability to speak English if you at least make an attempt to speak their language first.
How To Blend In
Many times, people presume the French are being rude, when it's actually just due to cultural differences. The French, for instance, always greet each other before speaking. So if you run up to a French person looking for directions by saying, "How do you get to the Eiffel Tower?" you have just been rude by French standards. Acquaint yourself with French Culture. You can also get tips with this article on Avoiding The Rude French.